Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Swine Flu is quickly spreading across the world. Mexico is closed until further notice and the first jokes are getting nervous chuckles at work and play. Meanwhile intelligent people are looking for solutions. Are they looking for a way to stop the spread or even cure it? Of course not they want to to change the name.

This is a worldwide phenomenon. In the US, officials are looking for ways to change the name as they fear the cost to pig farmers. While the flu doesn't spread through the eating of bacon and other related product, some governments have already banned pork imports from affected areas. Meanwhile I'm the idiot who got ribs from Swiss Chalet last night. They were tasty but not worthy of getting the flu and dying. As the strain is a mix of pig, bird and human flu they feel that the term swine flu is unfair to pigs. The geniuses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention feel that the name H1N1 Flu Outbreak is more reflective of the current strain. Maybe they should leave the rebranding to Madison Avenue, or better yet work on Controlling and Preventing diseases like you are suppose to do.

Over in Isreal, a health official suggests changing the name as well. Not for scientific reasons but because the term swine is offensive to Muslims and Jews. While I do understand the suggestion and how culturally sensitive it is I would be more offended by getting the flu. The tolerant health official suggests that the name be changed to the Mexican flu. While that would remove the swine issue, the new name would be offensive to about 110 million people who live in Mexico and are known as Mexicans. I suggest the Speedy Gonzales flu, cause it's moving so fast. "¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!"

I have an even better suggestion. How about these officials put on some face masks. Not to prevent the spread of their flu but to shut their mouths.